Bridie watched them go. Jack didn’t give her a backward glance. She couldn’t stop smiling.
‘What are you grinning like a Cheshire cat for?’ Oliver whispered, interrupting Bridie’s rather lovely thought that Jack had finally found his soulmate, and she’d been right under his nose the whole time.
Bridie restrained herself from clapping her hands with glee at this totally unexpected development, thinking of the old adage,everything happens for a reason. It took thinking she’d nearly lost Jack for Jade to show her true colours, and all Jack had needed to know was that she loved him, not his money.
Bridie turned to Oliver. ‘Will you walk me home?’
‘Oh, I’m sure they’ll need me here to help clear up after the fire.’
‘But Jack said he’d send in people tomorrow to clean up the mess and get the theatre ready.’
‘Yes, but there’s bound to be something I can do here now …’ He avoided eye contact.
Bridie’s stomach lurched. This was the first time he’d not readily agreed to walk her home. She wasn’t surprised, though,after what had happened the last time they’d been alone together in her flat. ‘Oliver, I’m not drunk. Not even tipsy.’
Their eyes met.
She looked at him coyly. ‘Even though I was quite drunk when I was coming on to you in the flat, and you politely declined my advances, ever the gentleman, I did recall something I said –I thought you wanted me?And you said—’
‘I do. But only if you want me, Bridie.’
Their eyes locked.
She smiled. ‘Why do you think I asked you to walk me home?’
Oliver suddenly got her meaning. He stared at her a full minute. ‘You’re not saying what I think you’re saying?’
Bridie grinned. ‘Oh, yes.’
‘Are you sure?’
She linked her arm in his. ‘I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.’
From behind them came the sounds of the fire engines and ambulance departing, driving slowly along the promenade in the other direction.
Oliver halted. ‘Don’t you want to inspect the damage?’
Bride shook her head. ‘Not now. I’ve got more important things on my mind. She raised her eyebrows at him suggestively.
Oliver raised his eyebrows too, the look on his adorable face saying he didn’t catch her meaning. She rolled her eyes at him.
‘Oh, oh, I see.’
They exchanged another smile. As they did so, Bridie caught sight of the old run-down cottage next door to the theatre as they passed by. ‘What do you think Jack will do with the cottage he was going to move into?’
‘You mean that one next door to the theatre?’
Bridie nodded.
‘I expect he’ll go back to his original plan of doing it up and selling it on for a profit.’
‘Do you think that’s what they’re discussing now?’ Bridie asked. Jack and Jade were standing outside the run-down cottage deep in conversation.
Oliver shook his head. ‘I have no idea. And you know what? I don’t care because that house has got nothing to do with us, and besides, right now I’ve got more important things on my mind …’ He took Bridie’s hand and held it to his lips, kissing the back of her hand gently.
Bridie actually trembled at his touch. ‘Let’s go,’ she said eagerly. She didn’t want to waste another moment.
‘I thought we were going home now,’ said Jade.
